Derailing device.



B. L BUELL.l

DEHAIUNG DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY-15. |918.

1,287,214. Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

MW a

TT ORNE Y v IBENJAMAN J'. BUELII, 0F READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

DERAILING DEVICE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10,1918.

Application led May 15, 1918. Serial No. 234,657.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMAN J. BUELL, a citizen of the Unit-ed States, and aresident of Reading, inthe county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have made and invented certain new and useful Improvements in Derailing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to derailingl devices designed to prevent the movement of a car or other railway vehicle past a predetermined point by throwing the same, or at least the forward wheels thereof, off the track should the vehicle either as the result of an accident or through carelessness come into Contact with the derailing device; such devices being designed to be locked to a rail adjacent a stationary car or other vehicle upon, under or about which a workman is working, and to act to derail an approching car or vehicle should the same approach too close to and be about to run into the vehicle about or under which the workman is engaged, which, if .not prevented would be likely to cause the death or serious injury of the workman. Such` derailing devices are also used at sidings to derail cars left thereon should they move toward the main track, thus preventing them from running onto the main trackY and into the way of trains operatn ing thereupon, and, in fact, in any location where it is desirable to prevent an approching vehicle from colliding with one at rest or to arrest the movement of the moving vehicle to thereby avoid probable accident; or, as otherwise and to substantially the same effect expressed, under any conditions wherein it is necessary or desirable to arrest the movement of a moving vehicle to thereby avoid probable consequences more serious than the derailing thereof, should its onward movement not be arrested.

Suc-h devices are ordinarily provided with and used in conjunction with a visible signal to indicate the presence of the derailing device and of a stationary vehicle beyond and protected by the same; and one of the objects of my invention is to provide a derailing device having a visible signal, and in which the act of flocking the device to the rail is accompanied by a movement of the signal into a visible and substantially upright position and Ain which the device cannot be locked in place upon and to the rail without at the same time displaying the signal, nor can the signal be properly displayedV unless and until the device'is firmly secured to the rail. Conversely, the signal must be moved into a position. in which it is not displayed, and in which it is not readily seen from a distance, before the derailing device 1s imlocked from the rail as a step prepara tory to removing it therefrom; from which it follows that the displaying of the visible signal and the locking ofthe derailing device in place upon and to the rail are con-V comitant circumstances, on the one hand, and the unlocking of the device from the rail preparatory to its removal therefrom and the takingydown or removal of the visible signal like circumstances, on the other.

A further object 'of my l.invention is to provide a derailing device having'a visible signal connected with and movable, into a visible position simultaneously with the movement of the member or element whereby the derailingdevice is locked to the rail, and in which the direction of movement of the signal in accomplishing the locking of the device to the rail corresponds with that of a vehicle approaching the derailing device; so that should an appro-aching vehicle run against the signal the effect of such action would be to force the locking member into more firm engagement with the rail, thus increasing the locking action and locking the derailing member more securely to the rail. Y

The greater number of the features of my invention are, however, uite independent of the visible signal; and a further object of my invention is to provide a derailing device having various features of construction and operation hereinafter pointed out at length, and which are not dependent upon the presence of a visible signalV andin and with which sucvhia signal is not or may not be used.

A further object of my invention is to provide a derailing device of the type or class referred to which will be simple in construction and which may be easily secured to and removed from a railway rail, which may be easily and cheaply made from cast 'metal by approved manufacturing processes,

and which will be light in weight and easily transportable and effective for the purpose for which it is provided. Y

Withtheabove and other objects in view,

my invention consists in the improved derailing device and subordinate parts and features thereof illustrated in the accompanyinO drawing and hereinafter described at length and finally claimed, and in such variations and modifications thereof as will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates.

1n the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification and wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 is a view showing my improved derailing device in plan, and secured in position upon a railway rail;

Fig. is a view showing the same in side elevation and as seen from a position between the two rails of a railroad track;

Fig. 3 is a view showing a section taken upon a vertical transverse plane indicated by the line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4l is a View showing my invention in end elevation, and as seen from a position from which a vehicle to be derailed approaches the same; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken upon a vertical longitudinally extending plane indicated by the line 5-5, Fig. 8.

Referring now to the drawing, my improved derailing device comprises a derailing member adapted to engage a railway rail and which is supported thereby, together with locking mechanism for securing the derailing member and the device as a whole to the rail whereby it is supported; the said derailing member being preferably formed as a single integral casting, and the same being provided with one or more hook-shaped lugs 6 extending from its outer side or edge and adapted to engage the head ofthe supporting rail. The said derailingmember is formed or provided with a tread engaging and supporting portion 7 along which the tread -T- of the car wheel shown in Fig. 1 runs during the derailing operation, an inclined depression or groove 8 deepest at the forward end of the derailing member and becoming shallower until it disappears or merges with the tread engaging portion 7 near the rear end of the derailing member at about the point 9, and an upwardly extending ridge or cam 10 having an inclined wall merging with the bottom wall of the groove and extending longitudinally of and at an angle to the length of the derailing member, and which ridge merges with the tread engaging portion 7 at and beyond the point 9; the ridge and tread engaging portions at and beyond the point 9 together forming a vertical or steeply inclined wall extending downward and to the' outside of the rail.

When the device is in use the flange F- of the car wheel shown in Fig. 1 runs along the groove 8 while the tread, as above explained, traverses the tread supporting portion 7; the cam or ridge 10 during this onward movement of the car wheel acting upon the flange thereof to push the wheel to the left, Fig. 1, until it reaches the vicinity indicated by the reference numeral 9 at which the top of the tread supporting portion, the bottom of the groove, and the inner inclined wall of the ridge disappear as separate features and merge into a vertical or steeply inclined wall (the position of which is indicated by the reference numeral 11), whereupon the flange of the wheel slides down this inclined wall and to the outside of the rail; the opposite car wheel being meanwhile pulled from the rail upon which it was running and permitted to drop inside the said rail, as the flange of the second-mentioned wheel does not have to be lifted above and moved over the head of the rail upon which it is running during the derailing operation and in no way interferes with the action of the derailing device.

Because of the fact that the groove 8 is deepest at the end of the derailing member with which the car wheel first engages, and becomes progressively shallower toward the rear end of the derailing member, as explained, the tread of an approaching wheel engages the projecting end 12 of the tread engaging portion of the device, first, and before (assuming the forward end of the groove to be of proper depth) the flange of the wheel engages the bottom of the groove. Subsequently, and as the wheel travels toward the rear end of the lderailing member,

the flange of the wheel runs along the groove until the depth thereof decreases to a dimension corresponding with the height of the flange; after which the tread is lifted from the tread supporting portion, and the flange only contacts with the derailing member during the further movement of the wheel and until it is completely derailed, as will be appreciated.

The derailing member above described in detail is provided with means whereby it may be secured in position upon the rail whereby it is supported, and readily removed from the said rail; to which end the said member is shown as provided with a bearing 13 formed, preferably, in a depending portion 14 extending transverse to the longitudinal plane of the device and to the rail to which it is secured.

Supported within the bearing 13 is an oscillating locking member the inner end of which is movable into and out of engagement with the rail, to thereby lock the device to and release the same from the rail; the said locking member, in the embodiment of my invention illust-rated, comprising a cylindrical body portion l5 movable angularly wit-hin and longitudinally of the bearing 13, a projecting lug 16 carried by and located adjacent the inner end of said memvways occupy a l, tionship with one'another, and Ypossible deber, and a signal carrying arm 17 carriedby the outer end 'of said cylindrical portion; the elements referred to and which form the locking member being preferably formed inj tegrally with one another and as a single casting,

whereby the parts in question alfixed andunchangeable relarangement' of the device asa whole due to failure kof connections between separate parts thereof, is made impossible;- v engages andtravels its free inner end thereagainst with suiicient.

force to accomplish the locking-of the device as awhole to the rail, as will be appreciated. The reference numeral 19 designates a slot extending longitudinally of eating `with the bearing 13 the projecting lug 16 may which the same may move. This slot is provided for two purposes; rst, its presence permits the locking member to be moved sidewise within the bearing 13 after the device has been unlocked from the rail, to make sure that the free end of the locking `member will clear the head thereofin removing and into'which enter and along the device from or placing it upon a rail; and,

second, the relative angular arrangement of the lug 16 and the signal carrying arm 17 vbeing such that when the lug lies within the slot a signal carrying sta 20 carried by said arm will occupy a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, so that va signal 22 at the upper end of said sta will not be in such a ositionl as to be readily seen, it follows tha in locking the device in place upon a rail the signal carrying arm 20 cannot be swung into the substantially vertical-position necessary in order to properly display the visible signal 22 unless and until the locking member is lirst pushed inwardly far enough tov carry the lug out of the slot, and that the act of locking the device to the rail simultaneously moves the visible signal into a visible and substantially vertical position. The visible signal cannot therefore be properly displayed unless and until the device is properly locked tothe rail and, conversely, the said signal cannot be taken down without at the same time unlocking the derailing device from the rail; so that the presence of the visible signal in its upright and properly displayed position serves to indicate that the device is properly locked to the rail whereby it is supported. Means such, for example, as the screw 23,- are preferably provided to prevent the locking member `from being entirely sepaand communi-y rated'from'the derailing member, the said screw'servi'ng-to arrest the movement of the lug 16 along the slot 19 after sufficient movement for thelpurpo'ses herein explained has occurred, as will be understood,

The arrangement and direct'on of inclination ofu the cam 18`arepreferably as illustrated, in order that should an approaching vehicle come intoco'ntact with or run over the 'signal f staff-20 -the "force A transmitted to the locking member will act to vice more securely to the rail; it being obvious that in the locking mechanism shown a force tend-ingto swing the staff 20 in the direction in whichv it would bemoved by a vehicle approaching the device and, running Vai'gainst'the stad, will move the lug 16 far-2 ther up the cam 18^and forcepthe free inner end of the locking [member lmore -irmly againstthe web of the rail. Y

After the derailing device as a whole has been placed upon and lockedv to the rail whereby it is supported, with the visible signal in a substantially vertical position as will be appreciated, it isv desirable that the device -be locked in the condition in which` lock the de- V it then is; 1n' order that `the samemay not be tamperedV with by unauthorized persons, or perhaps become accidentally unlocked from'the rail. To this endv meansare 'provided for locking the locking memberand the derailing member together, so that the locking member may not move relative to the derailing member; the preferred means illustrated comprising a lug 24 upon the inner vend of the depending bearing membery y 14, and another lug 25 upon the signal carrying arm 17 the said lugs being provided with holes 26, 27', which openings register with one another -when the visible signal isl in an upright position and the deviceis secured in place upon a rail, as shown in Fig. 2,' and through which openings the hasp of an ordinary padlock 28 vmay be passed to thereby lock the part-s together, as will be appreciated. f

Having'thus'described and explained my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent f l 1. In a device of the class described, a derailingmember vadapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in'said member is providedrwith a bearing So arranged as to extend transverse to the rail whereby the device is supportedl when the same is in use; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with a portion of the rail whereby the device is supported; and means for moving said locking member longitudinally'of said bearingv to thereby cause its free inner end to engage the rail as angular movement is imparted to said locking member.

3. In a device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to engage andto be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing so arranged as to extendtransverse to the rail when the device is in use; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with a portion of the rail whereby said derailing member is supported; means for moving said locking member longitudinally of said bearing to thereby cause its free inner endto engage the rail as angular movement is imparted tosaid locking member; and a signal carried by said locking member and adapted to occupy a substantially vertical position when the derailing member is locked to the rail.

4. In a device ofthe class described, a derailing member adapted to be supported by a railway rail and having a laterally extending hook adapted to engage the head thereof; a transversely extending bearing provided in a depending portionof said derailing member; an oscillating locking member supported insaid bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with the web of the rail whereby the device is supported; and means for imparting longitudinal motion to said locking member to thereby move its free inner end into engagement with the web of the rail whereby said derailing member is supported as angular movement is imparted to said locking member, to thereby lock said device in place 'upon the rail.

5. In aV device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing, and which locking member is adapted to move within said bearing toward and to engage the rail whereby the derailing member is supported to thereby lock the same in place thereupon; a projecting lug carried by said locking member; and a cam carried by said derailing member and along which said lug moves as angular movement is imparted to said locking member.

6. In adevice of the class described, a

derailing member be supported by mem-ber is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member-supported kin said bearing, and which `locking member kis adapted to move within said bearing into andout of engagement with the rail wherebyy the derailing member is supported, to there by lock the i signal carried by said locking member and' adapted to occupy a substantially vertical position when the derailing member is locked to the rail. Y

7 In a device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which memberis provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in said hearing and vmovable longitudinally thereofto thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with the rail whereby said derailing member is supported,jand which locking member is provided with a projecting lug adjacent its inner end; and a cam carried by said derailing member and alongwhich said lug moves as angular movement is im-v parted to said locking member.

8. In a device of the class described, a derailing member ach pted to 'be supported by a railway rail and having, a laterally eX- tending hook adapted to engage thehead thereof; a transversely extending bearing provided in a depending portion of said derailing member; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with the web of the rail whereby said derailing member is supported; a projecting lug carried by and located adjacent the inner end of said locking member; and a cam carried by said dei-ailing member and along which said lug moves as angular movement is imparted to said locking member.

9. In a device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to be supported by a railway rail and having a laterally extending hook adapted to engage the head thereof; a transversely extending bearing provided in a depending portion of said derailing member; an oscillating member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its, free inner end into engagement with the web of the rail whereby said derailing member is supported; a projecting lug carried by and located adjacent the inner end of said locking member; a slot extending longitudinally of said bearing and along which said lug may move; and a cam carried by said derailing member and along which said lug moves as angular movement is imparted to Said locking member.

l0. In a device of the classdescribed, a derailing member adapted to engage and to adapted to engage and to a railway rail, andwhich samein place thereupon; and a be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its inner end into engagement with the rail whereby said device is supported; and which locking member is provided with a projecting lug adjacent its inner end; a slot 'extending longitudinally of said bearing and along which said proj ecting lug may move; and a cam carried by said derailing member and along which said lug moves as angular movement is imparted to said locking member.

11. In a device of the class described, a derailing in ember adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable into and out of engagementJ with the rail whereby said device is supported, to thereby lock the same to and release the same from a rail; and two lugs, one upon said bearing and the other upon said locking member, and which lugs are provided each with an opening, the said openings being in line with each other when the device is locked to the rail.

12. In a device of the class described,`a derailing member adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing so arranged as to extend transverse to the rail whereby the device is supported when the same is in use; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable longitudinally thereof to thereby bring its free inner end into engagement with a portion of the rail whereby the device is supported; and means for moving said locking member longitudinally of said bearing to thereby cause its free end to engage the rail as angular movement is imparted to said locking member, said bearing and locking members having each a lug provided with an opening, and which openings register with each other when said derailing member is locked to the rail.

13. In a device of the class described, an integral locking member having a cylindrical body portion, a projecting operating lug located adjacent the inner end of said body portion, and a signal carrying arm extend- Copies of this patent may be ing transverse to said cylindrical body portion and located at the outer end thereof.

14. In a device of the class described, an integral locking member having a cylindrical body portion, a projecting operating lug located adjacent the inner end of said body portion, and a signal carrying arm located at the outer end of and extending transverse to the said cylindrical body portion and at right angles to the direction in which said projecting lug extends, and a lug provided with an opening and located at the outer end of said cylindrical body portion.

15. In a device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating locking member supported in said bearing and movable into and out of engagement with the rail whereby said derailing member is supported, to thereby lock said derailing member to and release the same from the rail; and means for locking said derailing member and said supporting member together to thereby prevent movement of the latter when the device is locked to the rail.

16. In a device of the class described, a derailing member adapted to engage and to be supported by a railway rail, and which member is provided with a bearing; an oscillating'locking member supported in said bearing, and which locking member is adapted to move within said bearing toward and to engage the rail whereby the derailing member is supported to thereby lock the same in place thereupon; a projecting lug carried by said locking member; a cam carried by said derailing member and along which said lug moves as angular movement is imparted to said locking member; and means for locking said locking member and derailing member together when the device is secured in place upon a rail to thereby prevent accidental unlocking of the device from the rail.

Signed at Reading, and State of Pemisylvania, this 13th day May, A.. D. 1918.

BENJAMAN J. BUELL.

in the county of Berks of Witnesses:

HELEN D. Jos'r, RAY A. HoUoK.

obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner et Patents.

Washington, D. G. 1 

